The 8 republicans that voted for the Cap and Trade bill bucked the party.  There is a mounting effort to get these 8 republicans to change their vote by the July 2^nd deadline.  Tea Party Patriots a grassroots website has a countdown clock as well as a link to the Congressional member’s websites.

HR-2454 (Cap and Trade Bill) passed the House of Representatives on Friday with a vote of 219-212.  All Florida Republicans voted against the bill.

The 8 Republicans that voted for the bill are:

Mary Bono Mack R (CA)

Mike Castle R (DW)

Mark Steven Kirk R (IL)

Leonard Lance R (NJ)

Frank LoBiondo R (NJ)

John McHugh R (NY)

Dave Reichert R (WA)

Chris Smith R (NJ)

Groundswell has been so huge that there is even a dedicated hash tag for them on Twitter.  They are calling them #capandtr8tors.  It will be interesting to see if any of the members that voted in favor or the bill change their votes by the deadline.

Tea Parties still protesting. Is anyone listening?

This is the major question when you have thousands of people showing up at Tea Party events and protesting. Tea Party stands for (Taxed Enough Already), and it appears to be the Republican answer to the Democrats www.moveon.org . Tea Party’s are supposed to have no party affiliation and are not to be geared to pushing any particular candidate, but candidates do speak at Tea Party events. I have participated in Tea Party events myself with my wife and children as I do believe in the philosophy, but is anyone really listening. My wife and I have been involved in the political process for years but it appears that people start a movement, no one listens, and then the people become burnt out on the movement they were so passionate about. The Flag Day Tea Party event in Lakeland did not bring as many volunteers as the Tax day Tea Parties in Lakeland and Bartow. Currently more than 900 Tea Party groups Nationwide are having protests against what they are calling, “ABC News’ one-sided, supportive presentation of the Obama administration’s plan for a nationalized health care system.” The President’s plan is being aired Wednesday at 10 p.m. on ABC News and will feature President Obama, speaking from the White House, about the Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee’s proposed legislation for a government takeover of U.S. health care.

President Obama will answer questions about his vision for socialized health care from a panel of Americans selected by ABC News.

Are Tax Payers really tea’d off or is it an illusion as the crowds don’t seem to be what they once were? Are politicians really listening or is this just a free venue to come and speak to a group of people who you are not sure if they are your constituents or not? Do people really believe they are making a change or are they just going about their everyday lives and saying “as long as it doesn’t affect me”? Bill Maher stated that the Democrats are the new Republicans and the Republicans are the “Crazy Party”, is this true? I don’t know the answer to these questions but what I would really like to know. Is anyone listening?

Jim Brown

Conservative Citizen and Blog Contributor